Los Angeles Herald, Volume 37, Number 6, 7 October 1909 — EASTERN DRIVERS WILL COMPETE WITH LOCAL [ARTICLE]

EASTERN DRIVERS WILL COMPETE WITH LOCAL

PORTOLA ROAD RACES WILL HAVE BIG RACERS

Well Known Local Wheel Pilots Will Have Opportunity of Measuring Skill with Eastern Experts

The Oakland Portola re .d race, which is to be held on the Oakland course, Saturday, Oct. 23, 1909, will not only be a contest between cars sold In California and the famous high power racing machines of the east, but will also.be a competition between California drivers and the well-known racing operators of the east. As there are several of the eastern racing drivers expected to have cars in the race the event will give the local boys their first opportunity of testing their skill and nerve with their eastern rivals. Among the list of the local drivers who will take a chance for the blue ribbon event of the western motor world is Cliff Ontank, the well-known driver. Ontank has been a competitor ln most of the Important track meets held in this state during the past two seasons. The latest victory of Ontank was the 10-mlle free-for-all at the recent track meet of the Olympic club, defeating a field of high power cars in close to record breaking time. He will be a contestant in the meet to be held at Santa Rosa, Saturday and Sunday. Tha lengthy driver of the green "Devil" has mado several trial spins over the course of the Oakland Portola road race and says that he confidently expects to see all road racing records lowered at this race. He will establish a racing camp on the course within a few days. Another local .racing man who has won racing laurels In the events on the coat Is Dave Bonney, the wellknown operator. Bonney, who drives a runabout for M. J. Laymance, chairman of the finance committee of tho coming race. Is a clever road driver, having had a great deal of experience in track and road races during the last three years. Bonney expects to have a car in the race, and with fair luck will undoubtedly make a strong bid for the first honors. Frank Murray, demonstrator and racing driver for the Buick automobiles, and Earl Cooper with a Pennsylvania are two other local men who are expected to give a good account of themselves in the race. Harry Michlner with his Lozler racing machine and Charlie Soules are among the eastern drivers who are already here preparing for the race. Both of these men have national reputations for race driving and expect to fight it out for first place for tha honors of the big race.

Goes to Drive Knox . Fran Free, the well known racing driver of automobiles, leaves for San Francisco today, where he will take racing quarters on the Oakland side of the bay and prepare for «he Portola road races, in which he has been engaged to drive the Knox racing car which has been imported for the event. Free may be expected to be up alongside the finish line with the big Knox. . Franklin Tries Out Phoenix Course Ralph C. Hamlin and his Franklin car tried out the Phoenix course this week. The conclusions or experience of the Franklin representative is of course his property until the day of the race. ._*___'■